The boys of summer are back.
Thursday morning marked the opening of spring training for the Toronto Blue Jays with pitchers and catchers officially reporting for camp.
Despite the first full-squad workout not coming until Feb. 20, a handful of Blue Jays position players are also at the Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Fla., getting an early start to the 2024 season.
Bo Bichette, Santiago Espinal and Isiah Kiner-Falefa were among the players joining the pitchers on Thursday.
Toronto’s first spring training game comes on Feb. 25 against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Until then, here’s a look at some of the sights and sounds from Dunedin as the Blue Jays get ready for a new season:
Of course, all eyes will be on fourth-year pitcher Alek Manoah this spring as the 26-year-old looks to bounce back from a disastrous 2023.
When asked about Manoah, Blue Jays manager John Schneider called the big right-hander, “a big part of what we’re doing.”
“He’s done some really great work … he’s really excited for this year,” Schneider added. “A bounce-back season from him would be awesome for us.”
Toronto’s skipper also mentioned that he was encouraged by Manoah’s delivery and mental state.
